By Kevin McCarty
June 16, 2008

Conference Advisory Board Member Des Moines Mayor T.M. Franklin Cownie joined with College and University Presidents in Grand Rapids (MI) to discuss how the nation’s mayors and their cities can collaborate with leaders of America’s higher educational institutions in addressing climate protection challenges before the nation.

In his keynote remarks at a June 5 dinner session, Cownie said, “These partnerships are very important. We see the possibility of what can happen if we join together. How much further we can go if we have a direct partnership with all of you.”

Cownie addressed scores of presidents and other senior officials, many who are key leaders among the 525 signatories to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), an effort similar to the Mayor Climate Protection Agreement.

“People don’t understand the urgency. Everybody needs to take responsibility, and it is this urgency that we must communicate. We must drive at the higher education level,” Cownie said.

Explaining the important assets that higher education leaders bring to city and national climate protection efforts, Cownie said that, “We need you to be fully engaged, with your resources, with your training, and with your scientific investigation, to make sure that something happens.”

In his remarks, Cownie challenged them to join with mayors to collaborate on new solutions to real challenges and opportunities to deal with climate protection. “We can change the future of our cities. We can do it and we can do it soon.” Underscoring the same theme in concluding his remarks, he said, “I challenge you to come together with the nation’s mayors and bring to fruition a sustainable economy.”

In introducing Cownie, Conference Executive Director and CEO Tom Cochran summarized initial discussions between the Conference and ACUPCC leaders, beginning with an initial planning meeting, hosted by New York University on April 15. He thanked Anthony D. Cortese, President of Second Nature and Co-organizer, American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, for his efforts in supporting this dialogue. Cochran also discussed how Cownie’s presence at the Grand Rapids conference and University of Washington President Mark A. Emmert’s participation in the 76th Annual Meeting in Miami were part of a continuing process to develop this new partnership.